Groton — Robert E. Fitch High School salutatorian Sethulakshmi Babu said her grandmother always said she wanted to see her graduate.

"Hopefully, she's watching me from above," she told her classmates.

She was one of four student speakers at commencement ceremonies Friday night at Dorr Field for 281 members of Fitch's Class of 2013. More than 1,000 family members and friends packed the stands, waving and cheering as the graduates walked to the field in their black and red robes.

Candace Lamb attended two ceremonies for her children Friday. Her son, Ethan Lamb, 13, celebrated his eighth-grade promotion from Cutler Middle School in the morning, and her daughter, Emily Lamb, graduated high school in the evening. Her other children played in the band during the Fitch ceremony.

"I've had her for 18 years," Candace Lamb said of Emily. "It's a little hard to let her go. I'm happy, proud, excited for her to go to college. And (I'm) a little sad, nervous, scared, those normal mother feelings."

Class president Catherine Lanyon struggled with tears as she urged classmates to enjoy extra moments, like eating the second cupcake, swimming at the beach and watching a documentary.

"Some of you probably think I'm unhinged for being this sappy on an already sappy day," she said, crying.

Valedictorian Erika Mayer made the audience chuckle when she said she walked into Fitch four years ago "a shy and nerdy person," then added, "and that, actually, hasn't changed." She told her classmates to keep their curiosity and enthusiasm.

Senior Sean Blais was chosen as commencement speaker based on a competition at school. His message to students was to remember that choice and experience will define them as people, and they can only wake up each day and do their best.

"The only power we have is the power of choice," he said. Blais also said what defines "success" is a person's level of happiness.

Angela and Charles Hylton of New London were happy to see their grandson, Judeah Dunn, graduate.

"It's another stepping stone in his life and we're lucky to be in his life," Charles Hylton said before the ceremony.

d.straszheim@theday.com

Fitch High School graduate Nyesha Coram waves to her family members as Class of 2013 exits the stadium at the conclusion of 83rd graduation for Robert E. Fitch High School in Groton Friday June 21, 2013.